The Lions play the first match on their South Africa tour three weeks tomorrow, but by Wednesday night they could be seeking replacements for three of the original squad of 37. The Wales centre Tom Shanklin has been ruled out after dislocating his shoulder. A scan this morning revealed the need for reconstructive surgery on the joint and Shanklin is expected to be out for 16 weeks.
Shanklin's withdrawal gives the Lions a dilemma in an area where they did not give themselves a surfeit of options, the midfield. Shanklin is an outside-centre by preference, but he has experience of inside-centre, something that is essential for the tourists with Riki Flutey the only specialist No12 in the squad.
Alternatives include Mike Tindall, Josh Lewsey and Gordon D'Arcy, who will be involved in the Heineken Cup final between Leinster and Leicester on the weekend the Lions leave for South Africa.
Shanklin, a Lion in 2005, dislocated his right shoulder playing for Cardiff Blues against Newport Gwent Dragons last night. It was immediately put back in but whereas rest and recuperation used to be recommended for players who suffered the injury, surgery is now the preferred option and it involves a 16-week lay-off.
Cardiff Blues chief executive Robert Norster said: "I'm sure I can speak on behalf our the entire Blues family, indeed the entirety of Wales when I offer our sympathies to Tom following his devastating shoulder injury that will prevent him travelling with the Lions to South Africa this summer.
"Tom and all our other Lions heading south have given their very best for the Blues and their country this year and such injuries hardly seem fitting or fair. Suffice to say Tom picked up the injury whilst giving his all for our team and we are all feeling for him at this difficult time of disappointment and frustration."
The Ireland scrum-half, Tomas O'Leary, has already withdrawn from the squad after breaking his ankle playing for Munster and his replacement is expected to be confirmed after this weekend's Guinness Premiership play-offs, with England's Danny Care on stand-by for a call up.
The Munster flanker, Alan Quinlan, is also in doubt. He will appear before a disciplinary panel to answer a charge of making contact with an opponent's eye on Wednesday. His prospects of making the tour hinge on his appearance before a disciplinary panel on Wednesday to answer a charge of making contact with an opponent's eye.
Quinlan will need to rebut video evidence after being cited for making contact with the eye or eye area of the Leinster second row, Leo Cullen, during last weekend's Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park. A disciplinary panel made up of two Welshman and one Englishman will consider the case in Dublin next Wednesday.
If found guilty, the 34-year old flanker faces a three-month ban: the last time he was up before European Rugby Cup Ltd on a citing charge, he was banned for six weeks for stamping during a victory over Cardiff Blues at the end of 2006.
